The first research study involved 48 old and 17 young beagle dogs. Earlier research had established that dogs show marked age-dependent decline in learning and memory, and that the pattern of cognitive decline mirrors that seen in humans in several respects. Aged dogs also develop neuropathology that is similar to that seen in both successfully ageing humans and patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

The study showed that both discrimination and reversal learning ability decline progressively with advanced age in beagle dogs, but that the rate of decline can be delayed by both behavioural enrichment and antioxidant supplementation.

The researchers included these ingredients:

• Vitamin E is lipid soluble and acts to protect cell membranes from oxidative damage
• Vitamin C is essential in maintaining oxidative protection for the soluble phase of cells as well as preventing Vitamin E from propagating free radical production
• Alpha-lipoic acid is a cofactor for the mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, as well as an antioxidant capable of redox recycling other antioxidants and raising intracellular glutathione levels
• L-carnitine is a precursor to acetyl-l-carnitine and is involved in mitochondrial lipid metabolism and maintaining efficient function
• Fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids and carotenoids and other antioxidants.

All the ingredients in bold, are in The Einstein formulation.

The second study was an open clinical trial conducted in 10 veterinary practices, where ginkgo leaf extract was administered as a dietary supplement to 42 elderly dogs (mean age 11.4 years) for 8 weeks. Geriatric behavioural changes were classified by the following assessment scores: orientation in home and yard, social interactions, housetraining, and sleep-wake cycles.

In dogs with a history of geriatric behavioural disturbances a positive effect was apparent after four weeks and significantly reduced after eight weeks of treatment. 36% of the dogs were completely free of clinical signs by the end of the study, and for 79% of dogs, overall efficacy was judged as good or very good. It’s worth noting that improvement in slow age-related deteriorations are unlikely to occur without effective treatment.

Why ginkgo? Researchers hypothesised that ginkgo would be effective for elderly dogs because of the extract has proven effective in human medicine for the symptomatic treatment of cerebral insufficiency, peripheral arterial occlusive disease and disturbances of vestibular origin.

Gingko extract is in The Einstein formulation.

Study 1:

Milgram, N.W. & Head, Elizabeth & Zicker, S.C. & Ikeda-Douglas, H Murphey, B Muggenburg, B & Siwak, C & Tapp, Philip & Cotman, C.W.. (2005).Learning ability in aged beagle dogs is preserved by behavioral enrichment and dietary fortification: A two-year longitudinal study. Neurobiology of aging. 26. 77-90. 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2004.02.014.

Study 2:

Reichling, J & Frater-Schröder, M & Herzog, K & Bucher, Stephan & Saller, Reinhard. (2006).Reduction of behavioural disturbances in elderly dogs supplemented with a standardised Ginkgo leaf extract.Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde. 148. 257-63. 10.1024/0036-7281.148.5.257.

A therapeutic dose is the amount of a nutraceutical used clinically to produce a response. By the way, all the doses in the bestie health jellies are based on veterinary clinical experience and based on published research.

It's typically different from a treat you might see marketed as a 'calming treat'. Effectiveness depends whether there are therapeutic amounts of the constituents and on the severity of the clinical condition. However, if the treat can be fed any time you like, (unlike our health jellies which need to be given daily), then it's likely not strong enough to really have an effect.

Most commercial pet foods are made to meet the AAFCO and/or FEDIAF nutritional profiles for growth, reproduction or maintenance. However, many vets and animal nutritionists agree that these nutritional profiles do not necessarily enable cats and dogs to thrive and enjoy optimal health.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and an antioxidant that acts to protect cell membranes from oxidative damage. In The Einstein, we use a naturally-derived form, d-alpha tocopherol acetate. (The synthetic form is known as dl-alpha tocopherol.)

L-carnitine is an amino acid that transports fatty acids into our cells' mitochondria so they can be oxidised to produce energy. It also transports the toxic compounds out. Carnitine is particularly important for ageing dogs as the concentration of it declines with age and reduces the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane. In The Einstein, we use acetyl l-carnitine, the most effective form for the brain.

Alpha-lipoic acid (‘r’ denotes the natural form) is an antioxidant and naturally occurring fatty acid that can be found in many foods. It’s a cofactor for mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, and capable of redox recycling other antioxidants and raising intracellular glutathione levels.

Vitamin C is essential in maintaining oxidative protection for the soluble phase of cells as well as preventing Vitamin E from propagating free radical production. In The Einstein, we use vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid.

This extract has a complex mixture of constituents, such as terpene lactones, flavonoids and their glycosides – all assumed to be involved in pharmacological effects supporting peripheral and cerebral blood circulation.

L-theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea leaves. It has a relaxing effect in people and dogs, largely due to its similarity in structure to glutamate, the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. This allows the compound to interact with glutamate receptors. It’s also able to modulate neuronal response involved in mood, stress, pleasure and reward.

We use Australian beef-gelatin as the 'jelly' agent in our health jellies.

Gelatin isn’t just a ‘carrier’; it’s also good for dogs, especially ageing ones. For example, it inhibits inflammation and breakdown of the cartilage matrix.Collagen in the cartilage matrix and gelatin have a similar amino acid composition and there are indications that the amino acids in gelatin stimulate the synthesis of collagen cartilage.

This is one of the factors behind research that demonstrates the improvement in canine osteoarthritis due to gelatin supplementation. A trial of 15 dogs, fed gelatin in addition to their normal diet, found an improvement in activity(vitality), stiffness and lameness.[1]

Plant-based jelly carriers don‘t currently provide the same benefits. Gelatin is also a human-grade ingredient that is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for all species. 

[1] P,Jacobs & Grim, H. & Geene, H. & Beynen, Anton & Vlerk, T..(2010). Oral Administration of Gelatin Hydrolysate Reduces Clinical Signs ofCanine Osteoarthritis in a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. AmericanJournal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. 5. 10.3844/ajavsp.2010.102.106.

• 70 gram packs make a 2 month supply for dogs less than 10kg (small) and a 1 month supply for dogs 10kg to 25kg (medium)
• 140 gram packs make 1 month supply for a dog 25kg+ (large) and 4 months for a small dog, and 2 months for a medium sized dog

These natural supplements are not like a panadol; they work over time. We recommend that supplements are fed on an ongoing basis - and at least for 3 months